The verdict in three sentences
Outsourcing delivery to Yango Delivery, Glovo or Gozem spares you salaries, motorbikes and maintenance, but takes 15 to 25 % commission per run. An in-house fleet offers total control and a low marginal cost, but a high fixed cost that only pays off at high volume. The right choice hinges on a single number: your monthly delivery volume.
Outsourcing vs in-house fleet: the costs
Aggregators charge either a per-run commission or a flat fee, plus a possible cut on the basket. An in-house fleet concentrates cost in salaries and depreciation.
| Model | Cost per run (2026, estimate) | Intra-city time | Platform commission | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yango Delivery | 1,200 - 2,500 FCFA | 35-60 min | 15 - 20 % | Low |
| Glovo | 1,500 - 3,000 FCFA | 40-70 min | 20 - 25 % | Low |
| Gozem | 1,200 - 2,800 FCFA | 40-65 min | Flat per run | Medium |
| Independent courier | 1,000 - 2,000 FCFA | 35-70 min | 0 % (negotiated) | Medium |
| In-house fleet (1 bike) | Fixed cost ~250,000 FCFA/month | 30-60 min | 0 % | Total |
An in-house motorbike (courier salary + fuel + maintenance + depreciation) costs around 250,000 to 350,000 FCFA/month. Divide by the number of runs to find your real unit cost.
The tipping point to an in-house fleet
The math is simple: while volume is low, the aggregator wins; above a threshold, the in-house bike costs less per run.
| Monthly volume | Cost via aggregator (~1,800 FCFA/run) | In-house fleet cost (~280,000 FCFA fixed) | Best choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 runs | 90,000 FCFA | 5,600 FCFA/run | Aggregator |
| 100 runs | 180,000 FCFA | 2,800 FCFA/run | Aggregator |
| 150 runs | 270,000 FCFA | 1,867 FCFA/run | Break-even |
| 200 runs | 360,000 FCFA | 1,400 FCFA/run | In-house fleet |
| 300 runs | 540,000 FCFA | 933 FCFA/run | In-house fleet |
The tipping point sits around 150 to 160 runs/month: below it, stay on aggregators; above it, an in-house bike (or two) becomes clearly more profitable.
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Mini case study
Fatou runs an online deli in Dakar with 130 deliveries/month via Glovo, at a 2,200 FCFA average cost (22 % commission included) = 286,000 FCFA/month in delivery. She's unsure whether to hire a courier.
An in-house bike would cost her 290,000 FCFA/month fixed: at 130 runs, that's 2,231 FCFA/run, nearly identical. But she projects 210 runs the following month (holiday season). At 210 runs: Glovo = 462,000 FCFA, in-house fleet = 290,000 FCFA, i.e. 172,000 FCFA in savings. Decision: she keeps Glovo as the base and hires a courier once volume stably exceeds 160/month.
FAQ
What commission do aggregators take in 2026? As an order of magnitude, Yango Delivery takes 15 to 20 %, Glovo 20 to 25 %, while Gozem often works on a flat per-run fee. Budget 1,200 to 3,000 FCFA per run depending on distance.
From how many runs is an in-house fleet worthwhile? Around 150 to 160 runs/month: below that the aggregator is cheaper; above it an in-house bike at 280,000 FCFA fixed cost becomes more economical per run.
Can aggregators be connected to the store via API? Yes: we integrate run tracking and automatic delivery dispatch at checkout, so the customer follows their parcel in real time.
Should you pick a single partner? No: the best strategy is hybrid, an aggregator to absorb peaks and an in-house fleet for stable volume, optimizing cost per run year-round.
How much does the technical integration cost? As a 2026 order of magnitude, budget from 300,000 FCFA to connect one or two delivery partners with tracking and Wave/OM payment at checkout.
Let's talk about your project. We connect Yango, Glovo, Gozem or your own couriers to your store with real-time tracking and Wave/OM payment. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
